This cooking class is brought to you by:
Hether Frayer began masquerading as the Fresh Food Fairy in 2011 to encourage young people to eat more fruits and vegetables. Whether it is a hands-on cooking class (in person or virtual), a bike blender smoothie party or a scavenger hunt for Fresh Food Friends at the Farmer’s Market, she is passionate about sharing her love of nutritious, delicious and local foods with her community, while celebrating all of the fun and joy good food holds. Hether is a first generation Iraqi Chaldean-American. Chaldeans are Aramaic speaking, Eastern Rite Catholics. Her family originates from a small farming village about 8 miles northeast of Mosul called Tel Keppe. Her dad was born in Bagdad, and like many other Chaldean families, his family immigrated to Detroit in the 1950s. Family and food are at the center of Chaldean culture. Hether grew up gathering often with her huge extended family to enjoy enormous feasts together amid loud, chaotic conversations and lots of laughter. She remembers with special fondness watching and helping her Nana prepare Sunday dinners that included stuffed grape leaves, tacratha (spicy meat pies), maracas (vegetable and meat stews eaten over rice) cheese, baklava, and so much more, all without recipes. Growing up in this way has shaped Hether both personally and professionally.
Hether is the cooking class coordinator at PFC Natural Grocery and Deli in Kalamazoo, as well as board chair. She is also a Columinate Consultant supporting cooperative and non-profit boards with governance and leadership develop